Going to gigs officially makes you happier

Concerned you’re spending too much money going to gigs? Well take Bob Marley’s advice and don’t worry about a thing because regular concert-goers are officially happier.

Researchers at Victoria’s Deakin University found that “engaging with music by dancing or attending musical events” was linked to a higher personal sense of wellbeing.

The study, titled “If You’re Happy and You Know It: Music Engagement and Subjective Wellbeing”, surveyed 1,000 Australians, with the findings emphasising the “important role of engaging with music in the company of others” for cranking up the happiness factor, whether at a festival or a nightclub.

The communal aspect of music enjoyment was the integral part, as regularly listening to music alone was not found to have the same levels of positive effect on wellbeing.

“The insight gained from these findings can be used to inform future interventions and to better understand how music is involved in emotional regulation,” the report red.

Sadly, heightened wellbeing cannot be said for musicians themselves. Sydney University researchers recently found that on average, musicians die 25 years younger than non-musicians, with suicide rates among musicians between two and seven times greater than among the general population.

But if ever you needed an excuse to reconnect with your inner 16-year-old and hit the mosh pit, the latest study is it.